VETERAN prop Jason Leonard has been axed by coach Clive Woodward for Saturday's Cook Cup clash between England and Australia at Twickenham.

The Harlequins front-row won his 92nd cap against Ireland in Dublin last month but is one of seven players to pay the price for England's dismal failure to record the first Grand Slam of Woodward's reign.

Woodward's team to face the world champions is barely recognisable to that which started at Lansdowne Road, with two positional switches in addition to the swathe of new faces.

On only his second start since his cross-code move from Wigan, Jason Robinson is handed the added burden of full-back responsibilities, his only previous international experience coming on the wing.

Throwing Robinson into such a pressurised slot must be seen as a gamble, given that Matt Perry remains on the bench.

Robinson, the undoubted star of the Lions tour Down Under, has excelled at the 15-man code, with Woodward's only frustrations apparently centring around the lack of running opportunities for the Leeds-born player.

However, Australia are sure to sense a defensive weakness, particularly under the high ball, and Robinson's ability to cope could hold the key to victory.

It also means that maverick Leicester back Austin Healey is denied the chance to start at scrum-half. Instead Healey returns to the left wing, where he was exposed by Joe Roff in the previous fixture between the two sides 12 months ago.

Healey is likely to face old foe Justin Harrison, whom he infamously labelled "an ape" in one of his controversial Lions diaries in the summer.

It had been thought that Healey would start in his club position of scrum-half but instead that role is handed to Saracens' Kyran Bracken, who skippered England so successfully on their North American tour during the summer.

While changes in the backs are kept to a minimum, it is in the pack where Woodward has seen the need to act decisively.

Only Danny Grewcock and skipper Neil Back retain the same positions they occupied in Dublin, with Richard Hill switched from number eight to blind side flanker.

There is an entirely new front-row, where Leicester's Graham Rowntree is rewarded for a superb start to the campaign by being handed the shirt Leonard had made his own during the past decade.

Rowntree will have the chance to effectively end Leonard's international career should he prove a reliable alternative at loose-head prop.

Tigers' team-mate Dorian West is handed the hooking role as expected, with Gloucester's Phil Vickery also earning an anticipated recall.

Another Welford Road man, Ben Kay, has won the battle with Steve Borthwick for the vacant second-row berth - Martin Johnson is still injured while Simon Shaw proved an inadequate replacement against the Irish.

Woodward has also raised an eyebrow with his back-row change, Leicester's outstanding Lewis Moody surprisingly overlooked in favour of Wasps' Joe Worsley.

In contrast to Moody, Worsley did not enjoy the best of tours in America and his club side are struggling at the foot of the Premiership table, indicating a lack of form and confidence.

With Healey effectively acting as a replacement scrum-half, Sale's Charlie Hodgson stands on the brink of a remarkable introduction to the international arena.

Not even considered for the North American tour, the 20-year-old will act as Jonny Wilkinson's understudy from the bench, although should the England fly-half take a knock in the opening stages, the versatile Healey is capable of filling in there as well.

Woodward explained his decision to pitch Robinson in at full-back in place of Balshaw.

"It's tough for Matt Perry. I watched him on Saturday but I have watched Jason three times for Sale and he is the form full-back.

"Jason is a fantastic kicker of the ball. He can kick it a mile. He just often feels he can also beat the first line coming up to him.

"To beat Australia we have got to go out with a very offensive attitude. It's exciting. I think with Healey, Luger and Robinson as the back trio it is one of the most attacking teams we have put out."